The baby shower is the perfect photo opportunity for the mom-to-be. As the shower hostess, you must take many photos of the event, from the mom-to-be and her pregnant belly to guests, games and decorations. It will be important for the family to have this special event documented for the future. Read on for many great tips on how to take the best baby shower pictures.

Make sure your camera battery is fully charged and that you have plenty of film or space on your memory disk. Remember that with digital cameras you can snap as many photos as you’d like and can choose the best shot later. It’s better to have too many photos than too few.

Take many pictures before the party even starts. Get pictures of the room décor and decorations; pictures of the food and cake (before it’s eaten) and, of course, the mom-to-be. As guests arrive, ensure you take pictures of everyone and remember to hand off the camera at times to get in a few photos as well. A group shot of everyone is a wonderful memento - ensure you know how to use the self-timer on your camera.

Baby shower pictures should revolve around the mom-to-be. Take a photo of her entering the shower, playing games, chatting with family members and hugging her children and pets. A cute shot is of the children listening or talking to her belly.

Try to get some action shots of the mom-to-be eating, laughing and chatting with friends. Take a photo as she opens each gift, alongside the guest who gave it to her; these pictures can then be inserted inside thank you cards.

A good idea is to purchase a few disposable cameras and place them on tables so guests can take their own baby shower pictures. This always results is some interesting and funny shots.

There are many technical aspects of photography that can add sparkle to baby shower pictures. A tripod can be a handy tool as it keeps the camera still and avoids blurry photos. Alternatively, set the ISO on a digital camera to 200 or 400 or use high-speed film. The best photos of people are usually taken at eye level. When taking pictures of a group, always ask the subjects to stand together.

The best photos of people are always taken close to the subjects; so stand close or use a zoom. Make sure the light is in front of the group and not behind them. If the baby shower is outside and during the day, you won’t need the flash.

If the event is indoors or at night, turn on the flash and make sure you are the correct distance from your subjects for your camera - usually between six and 12 feet. You may want to practice with your camera before the baby shower starts so you are confident about the settings.

The most important thing to remember is to take as many photos as you can and try to capture the moment.